CVE-2016-10882 in google-document-embedder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The google-document-embedder plugin before 2.6.2 for WordPress has CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10882 affects the google-document-embedder plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 2.6.2, and represents a cross-site request forgery flaw that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This issue falls under the broader category of web application vulnerabilities that exploit the trust relationship between a web application and its users, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper anti-CSRF measures in its administrative interfaces. When users with administrative privileges access the plugin's settings or embedding functions, the application does not validate the authenticity of requests through the use of anti-CSRF tokens or other protective mechanisms. This allows an attacker to craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, can modify plugin configurations, embed unauthorized content, or potentially execute arbitrary actions within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-352 - Cross-Site Request Forgery, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security where the application fails to verify that requests originate from legitimate sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can lead to complete compromise of the affected WordPress installation. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could potentially change the plugin's configuration to embed malicious content from external domains, redirect users to phishing sites, or even inject harmful scripts that could persist across multiple user sessions. The implications are particularly severe in environments where the plugin is used for document management or content embedding, as it could allow attackers to gain access to sensitive documents or manipulate content in ways that could compromise business operations or user privacy. This vulnerability is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it provides a pathway for attackers to execute malicious commands through the compromised plugin interface.
The attack vector typically involves tricking an authenticated administrator into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a crafted link that contains a hidden request to modify the plugin settings. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior, making it an attractive target for automated attacks. Organizations using the affected plugin version are at risk of unauthorized configuration changes, potential data exposure, and in worst-case scenarios, complete compromise of their WordPress installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and request verification mechanisms in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where privileged actions can have widespread consequences. Mitigation strategies include immediate upgrade to version 2.6.2 or later, which addresses the CSRF issue through proper token implementation, along with regular security audits and monitoring of plugin configurations to detect unauthorized changes. Additionally, organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and ensure that administrative privileges are restricted to trusted users only. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping all WordPress plugins updated and following security best practices for web application development and maintenance.